Chinese Characters of Virtue

Inspired by the calligraphy on Chinese ceremonial bronze vessel inscriptions of the Zhou Dynasty (1066 - 770 BC) which are known as 'small seal' and characterised by their rounded strokes, these four Chinese characters form the classic four character phrase 英明文武 - the four noble virtues of an upright person:

英YingAstute 明MingUnderstanding文WenCultured武WuAssertive

The Chinese language being a compound script, further meanings can be derived when different characters are paired together:

Inspired by the calligraphy on Chinese ceremonial bronze vessel inscriptions of the Zhou Dynasty (1066 - 770 BC) which are known as 'small seal' and characterised by their rounded strokes, these four Chinese characters form the classic four character phrase 英明文武 - the four noble virtues of an upright person:

英YingAstute 明MingUnderstanding文WenCultured武WuAssertive

The Chinese language being a compound script, further meanings can be derived when different characters are paired together: